Themed “Putting young agripreneurs, technological innovations and policy at the centre of climate solutions”, the southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) annual conference takes place in Polokwane today and tomorrow.
The two-day conference has a specific focus on entrepreneurship as a path for young people into agriculture and the solving of climate-related problems as a space for innovation for such young agripreneurs.
One of the highlights of the programme on day 1 is an overview of entrepreneurial opportunities for young agripreneurs in climate action by Dr. Antony Chapoto, research and innovation director of the Indaba Agricultural Research Policy Institute (IAPRI).
Combining big and small agri
SACAU is a regional farmers’ organisation with its permanent secretariat established in 2004.
Since its establishment, SACAU has recorded substantial growth and currently has 19 member organisations from 12 countries, namely Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Seychelles, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, representing a total of more than 5 million farmers.
In South Africa, SACAU members are AgriSA and AFASA. SACAU represent both small-scale farmers and large commercial farmers. SACAU is recognised as a key dialogue partner on agricultural policy and programme related matters by the two regional economic communities in southern Africa, namely the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). It has strategically positioned itself as the main voice of farmers on regional, continental, and international matters.
Though SACAU’s membership is diverse, most of its members predominantly represent the smallholder farming sector while four organisations represent the large-scale commercial farmers. In addition, some of the members are mature and well-established while others are still young and fledgling.
MZANSI YOUNG FARMERS INDABA: Click here to reserve your seat
